Fans Cry “Dirty Player” at Angel Reese as Caitlin Clark’s Teammate Also Faces the Jury

If you’re a fan, you would know Angel Reese made headlines in the 2023 NCAA Women’s National Championship with her infamous “you can’t see me” gesture directed to CC. The intent and the timing of the gesture made the atmosphere electrifying, to put it lightly. Angel Reese’s competitive nature and passionate personality are not to be trifled with. And when she was matched up with the Lunar Owls in the Unrivaled 3×3 basketball league, it was no surprise tensions rose again. This time however, the aftermath has caught everyone’s attention.

The latest edition of Angel Reese’s Rose Basketball against Napheesa Collier’s Lunar Owls got spicy quickly. The Lunar Owls won 66-56, but the physicality and the talking took center stage. Reese and Collier were not playing nice with each other. Both players had their share of jabs and clashes throughout the course of the game.

The drama reached a boiling point after Reese bumped into Collier. Unrivaled co-founder was thrown to the ground by the former’s move. Collier, who doesn’t shy from a fight, attempted to push Reese from behind but missed. These moments were part of a larger back-and-forth between the two, ending in Collier’s game-winning shot, which she followed with some trash talk of her own.

But what really had fans buzzing wasn’t the game itself—it was the duel between Reese and Collier. One fan was unfiltered, saying, “She’s always been a dirty player yet @Reebok still chose to hitch their wagon to her nasty ghetto ass.” Stinging words, but this sort of critique isn’t novel for Reese. Her aggressive style has earned her the label of “dirty player” from some and even “bully” on the court from others. For all the criticism, however, one thing is clear — Reese is a hell of a player, and whatever she does on the court is impossible to ignore.

While the Lunar Owls emerged victorious, Reese’s stats remained impressive. She ended with a double-double: 17 points and 10 rebounds. Collier was close behind with 16 points and nine boards.

Angel Reese’s Reebok deal and why ‘tough’ competition is a must

Despite all the critics, Reese’s career continues to soar. Late in 2023, she signed a multi-year extension with Reebok, putting her feet (and its shoes) back atmospherically on the map. She’s the second WNBA player ever to receive her own signature shoe, which will be released in 2026. The new era of Reebok begins with Shaquille O’Neal running the playbook. And this deal is a huge victory for both Reese and Reebok. Along with her signature shoe, Reese already designed her first collaborative collection, “Reebok by Angel,” and a new basketball sneaker, the “Engine A,” will debut in 2025.

via Imago

Interestingly, in the match against Lunar Owls, Caitlin Clark’s teammate, Lexie Hull, was seen on the sidelines, rooting for Reese. Fans couldn’t help but notice Lexie Hull clapping when Collier hit the floor after a bump from Reese. “Lexi don’t stand up and celebrate that…🫠😥” one fan wrote. As much as that moment was another log on the fire. But it’s worth mentioning that those little sideline conversations are part of the spectacle that makes basketball so engaging.

It’s not uncommon for athletes in competitive sports such as basketball to collide with one another. In fact, these moments of friction make the game better. They elevate a level of anticipation that makes fans root for. Clashes put players in uncomfortable situations, testing their mental fortitude and forcing them to overcome the heat of the moment. And moreover, does utilize these instances to create a windows in their game plan. If they know they can get in someone’s head, they will try to do so.

Angel Reese has taken the heat in stride, on and off the basketball court, which is part of the reason why she is such a dominant player. The “ghetto” attitude stems from the very competitiveness that propels the star forward. Whether they call her a “dirty player,” or laud her toughness, the bottom line is this: Angel Reese isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.